3SSB Birmingham: 2023 Standouts (Part 2)
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After almost two full years, we finally were able to have an AAU live period with division one college coaches in attendance, the first one happened this past weekend with a four day live period ranging from July 7-11. I…
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Continue ReadingAfter almost two full years, we finally were able to have an AAU live period with division one college coaches in attendance, the first one happened this past weekend with a four day live period ranging from July 7-11. I made the trip to Birmingham, AL where there were a number of events I attended including the Adidas 3SSB Session One and the Prep Hoops Circuit “The Platform.”
With so many talented players in one area for coaches to see, it will be tons of content coming out with standouts from both events.
Here’s a look at part two of the 2023 prospects that stood out to me at the 3SSB Birmingham stop, looking at guys from Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina.
Isaiah Coleman Isaiah Coleman 6'5" | SF Word of God | 2023 State #59 Nation NC | 6’5” WG | New World
Coleman continues his upward trend with the way he’s been playing since June in front of coaches and he’s going to continue to warrant interest and offers with his Swiss-army knife approach to the game. At 6’5” he’s a strong and athletic wing that can play on the ball and create shots, he’s improved immensely in his ability to make shots from deep and he is a willing passer and good playmaker as well. He has become much more aggressive and is developing a killer instinct now as well.
Isaiah Arnold Isaiah Arnold 6'2" | PG DeMatha | 2023 State MD | 6’2” CG | New World
Arnold is part of a talented 2023 backcourt at DeMatha and because of that at times he can get overlooked but he showed this weekend he’s highly skilled and can play on and off the basketball. He’s a good shooter that knocks it down consistently, he is shifty off the bounce and gets to spots and he knows the game and makes good decisions as well. He’s a competitor that brings it every time he’s on the floor and he’s always one of the smartest guys on the floor as well.
Dennis Parker Dennis Parker 6'6" | SF John Marshall | 2023 State #89 Nation VA Jr, | 6’6” WG | Team Loaded VA
It was the first time seeing Parker play in over 10 months since he injured his knee, and while you’d expect him to come back rusty he looked like he didn’t miss a beat and had high major coaches very intrigued with his all-around game and athleticism. He’s a natural athlete that thrives in transition and can guard multiple positions, he can play on the ball as he has a good handle and he has good vision and feel as well. He looked like he was ready to get back on the floor and competed on both ends, and he made a huge difference for his 16U team that went 4-1 on the weekend.
John St. Germain John St. Germain 6'2" | PG St. Anne's Belfield | 2023 State VA | 6’1” PG | Team Loaded VA
St. Germain is part of a very talented trio of lead guards on this Loaded team, and when he’s locked in and playing with intensity he can be the best player on the floor and take over a game in many different ways. He’s highly skilled and can fill it up from all three levels off the bounce, he brings energy when his team needs it and he commands the game and runs a team extremely well. He’s their x-factor and when he’s bringing it everyone on the team follows him.
Carter Lang Carter Lang 6'9" | C St. Anne's Belfield | 2023 State #199 Nation VA | 6’9” C | Team Loaded VA
It may seem like I’m always writing about Carter Lang Carter Lang 6'9" | C St. Anne's Belfield | 2023 State #199 Nation VA , but it’s tough not to as he is always highly productive and brings it every time he’s on the floor no matter who he is matched up with. He’s a very big target in the paint and can score it through traffic with good touch in the paint, he can step out and pull other bigs out with his ability to shoot it and pass on the perimeter and he is a big time rebounder on both ends of the floor. He’s a walking double-double and a good rim protector as well, making him a very versatile big man.
Avion Pinner Avion Pinner 6'9" | PF Concord Academy | 2023 State NC | 6’7” PF | Team Loaded NC 17U
Speaking of versatile bigs, Pinner is one of the guys you would consider a new school big as he’s a four man but has perimeter skill set and can run the floor with wings and guards too. He’s still raw which is weird to say because he’s also versatile and can do a little bit of everything, he can guard multiple positions and rebounds well and he can score in a number of ways too. As he continues to polish up and get more consistent he’ll be a guy to keep an eye on moving forward.
Ja’Kwon Moore | 6’6” WG | Team Loaded NC
Moore has a ton of tools that are very intriguing moving forward and looks like he can be a big time prospect if he continues to develop. He has a great frame and prototypical size for the position, he’s strong and a good athlete and his skillset allows him to play on and off the basketball on the offensive end. He can make shots from multiple levels and create shots in isolation situations, he can guard multiple positions and he’s productive across the board.
Truman Claytor Truman Claytor 6'6" | SF New Life Christian | 2023 State NC | 6’5” CG | Team Loaded NC
Claytor was a prospect I hadn’t seen yet on this Team Loaded NC team, but I was very impressed with his size and ability to play on the basketball and make plays for others. At 6’5” he’s very long and a mismatch on the basketball, he showed the ability to stick it from deep and he’s an unselfish and capable playmaker off the bounce as well. He needs to fill out moving forward but he’s going to get a lot of attention with his size and skillset at the guard position.